Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Northern California Delta Dental Plan clerical workers yesterday voted to approve a new four-year contract, which ended a three-week strike that involved more than 1,100 workers, the Sacramento Bee reports. The workers, represented by the Teamsters Union Local 856, voted 570-244 to approve the contract, according to Michael McLauglin, business agent for the union. The contract includes an 18.5% wage increase over four years and a "rollover to the second year of any unused dollar amount" less than a $2,000 annual cap on dental payments. Jeff Album, a Delta Dental spokesperson, said, "The rollover is a big thing for them, so we showed some movement on that particular concern," adding, "We're happy that the union membership has accepted the changes and in the process has gotten some resolution" (Hume, Sacramento Bee, 8/13). The new contract, the third proposal considered by the workers since their contract expired May 31, also extends the workweek from 37.5 hours to 40 hours and allows Delta Dental to establish a Tuesday-through-Saturday shift (California Healthline, 8/9).

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